Door jamb setter



Feb. 2, 1965 w. F. LEE

DOOR JAMB SET'I'ER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 19, 1962 INVENTOR. w/z 4 MM A 4 55,

.arraennss s United States Patent 3,168,305 DOOR JAMB SETTER William F. Lee, 933 42nd St., Sarasota, Fia. Filed .lau. 19, 1962, Ser. No. 167,337 Claims. (Cl. 269-321) This invention relates to a novel door jamb setter.

The primary object of the invention is the provision of a more eflicient, and more easily used device of the kind indicated, whose use substantially reduces the time and labor otherwise required for setting door jarnbs.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a relatively simple device of the character indicated above, which is composed of a small number of uncomplex parts, which are easily manufactured and assembled, the device thereby being capable of being produced in rugged and serviceable forms, at relatively low cost.

Other important objects and advantageous features of the invention will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings, wherein, for purposes of illustration only, a specific form of the invention is set forth in detail.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevation of a device of the present invention, showing the same set up in a doorway or wall opening and engaging side jambs and holding a head jamb in place for nailing;

FIGURE 2 is a horizontal section taken on the line 22 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a vertical transverse section taken on the line 33 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged horizontal sectional detail, taken on the line 4-4 of FIGURE 1; and

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged fragmentary exploded per spective view of the upper part of one side member of the device. I

Referring in detail to the drawings, wherein like numerals designate like parts throughout the several views, the illustrated device comprises two similar but reversed vertical side uprights 10, each of which comprises a channel 12 having a web 14, and right angle outwardly extending side flanges 16, these last having lateral flanges 18 along their outer edges, which are parallel to the web 14. As shown in FIGURE 2, the width of the channel 12, between its side flanges is such as to accommodate the rib 23 of a door side jamb 20, with the lateral flanges 18 bearing against the jamb at opposite sides of the rib.

The channels 12 have similar upper and lower gauge bar brackets 26 and 28 which are located adjacent to the upper and lower ends 30 and 32, respectively, of the channels, the upper brackets being aligned with each other, and the lower brackets aligned with each other. The brackets comprise pairs of similar horizontal inwardly extending strap arms having outer end portions 34 suitably fixed, as indicated at 36, to the outer sides of the channel side flanges 16, inwardly converging intermediate portions 38, and parallel spaced straight inner end portions 49, through which a pivot pin 42 extends. Similar upper and lower adjustable length gauge bars 44 and 46 extend between and are connected to the upper and lower brackets 26 and 28, respectively, for accurately adjusting and setting the spacing of the uprights 10.

Each gauge bar comprises a rigid tube 48 having an open inner end, slidably receiving the inner end of a gauge rod 50, the outer ends of the tube and the rod being engaged between the inner end portions 40 of the brackets on the channels 12, and pivoted on the pivot pin 42. Similar linear scales 52 are provided on the gauge rods Ell, which run outwardly along the rods, and are read at the inner ends of the tubes, as indicated in FIGURE 5. Set screws 54 are threaded through bosses 56 on and located adjacent to the inner ends of the tubes 43, for locking adjustments of the rods in the tubes. The gauge bars 44 and 46 are hinged to the uprights 10 so that where there is a deviation in the level of the floor F between the uprights, upon which the lower ends 32 of the uprights rest, or the door sides are of different heights, the uprights can be given the necessary vertical displacement relative to each other.

The uprights 10, and hence the side jambs 20 are positively aligned with the wall and are held in place relative thereto, by means of similar upper and lower clamps 58 and 60 located intermediate the gauge bar brackets and the upper ends of the uprights, which are adjustable in width in order to accommodate side jambs of ditferent widths. The clamps are preferably mounted on the uprights above and below the upper and lower gauge bars 44 and 46. Each clamp comprises a horizontal transverse bracket 62, suitably fixed to the inner surface of the webs 14 of the channels 12, and comprising a channel 64 having a web 66 and upper and lower inwardly extending flanges 68, the web 66 having a centered screwthreaded hole 70 therethrough, outwardly offset ears 72, on the ends of the web 66 which bear against and are fixed to the inner surfaces of the channel web 14. Each clamp further comprises a pair of similarly but reversely positioned L-shaped clamp members, each having transversely disposed, overlapped foot portions 74, having longitudinal closed slots 76 therealong, which receive therethrough a wing clamping screw 78 which is threaded into the hole 70 in the web 66 of the bracket 62, with the foot portions 72 slidably confined between the flanges 68. Straight flat outwardly extending arms 86), on the outer ends of the foot portions 74, extend outwardly beyond the channels 12, so that a considerable length thereof can bear flatly against the opposite sides of the wall at the sides of a door opening.

For accurately locating and levelling a head jamb 82 having a rib 84 along its underside, the uprights it} are provided, at their upper ends, with vertically adjustable inverted L-shaped head jamb brackets 86, which comprise vertical fiat standards 88, and laterally inwardly extending flat feet 96, which are wider than and extend beyond opposite sides of the standards 83. The standards are formed with centered vertical adjustment slots 92. The head jamb brackets 86 are mounted on the channels 12, at the inner sides thereof, by means of vertical slideways 96, which comprise straps having outwardly extending end portions 92, suitably fixed, as at 99, to the outer surfaces of the side flanges 16 of the channels, and intermediate portions 1619) having end portions 102, suitably fixed to inner surfaces of the webs of the channels, and portions 11M which are inwardly offset, relative to the inner surfaces of the webs, and provided with centered threaded holes 106. The standards 38 of the brackets 86 extend downwardly between the channel webs 14 and the portions 104, and wing clamping screws 108 are extended through the holes 106, and through the slots 92, and are threaded through holes 110 provided in the channel webs 14, for clamping the brackets 86, with the feet 90 at desired levels, to be determined by the angle of the head jamb 82, or by means of a suitable level (not shown), so that a head jamb 82 can be properly positioned relative to and nailed to the side jambs 20.

In use and operation, the device is set up in a door opening, with the gauge bars 44 and 46 in retracted positions, and with door side jamb ribs 23 positioned in the channels 12, whereat the gauge bars are extended so as to put the lateral flanges 13 of the channels 12 against the inner surfaces of the side jambs 2i), and with the arms of the clamps 53 and 6t) engaged with the opposite sides or edges of the Wall. The head jamb brackets 86 are then vertically adjusted to the required level and a head jamb 82 placed upon the feet 90, and the head jamb 82 is nailed to the side jambs. The device is then removed from the door opening, by backing out the gauge bar set screws 54 and collapsing the gauge bars 4-4 and 4-6, at the same time that the clamps 58 and 60 are removed from the door side jarnbs 20. 7

Although there has been shown and described herein a preferred form of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not necessarily confined thereto, and that any change or changes in the structure of and in the relative arrangements of components thereof are contemplated as being within the scope of the invention as defined by the claims appended hereto.

What is claimed is:

1. A door jamb setter comprising a pair of laterally spaced uprights, means on the uprights for holding the uprights in line with door side jambs, adjustable gauge bar means extending between and connected to the uprights, and side jamb clamping means on'the uprights,

,said clamping means comprising channel brackets fixed on the uprights, L-shaped members having foot portions overlapped and slidably confined in the channel brackets, said foot portions having registered longitudinal slots, and clamping screws extending through the slots and threaded into the channel brackets.

2. A door jamb setter comprising a pair of laterally spaced uprights, means on the uprights for holding the uprights in line with door side jambs, adjustable gauge bar means extending between and connected to the uprights, and side jamb clamping means on the uprights,

lower ends of the uprights, vertically spaced U-shaped clamps secured to the webs of the uprights and having side flanges spaced outwardly from the uprights and adapted to engage the opposed sides of door jambs.

4. A door jamb setter for jambs having vertical ribs spaced from their sides and extending laterally inwardly from the jambs, said setter comprising channel uprights adapted to receive the ribs and having lateral flanges adapted to bear against the inward surface of the jambs, said uprights having webs, vertically spaced upper and lower horizontal gauge bar means extending between and secured to the uprights, and spaced from the upper and lower ends of the uprights, vertically spaced U-shaped and head jamb supporting bracket means on the upper ends of the uprights, comprising vertical slideways on the uprights adjacent the upper ends of the uprights, inverted L-shaped brackets having inwardly extending horizontal feet and pendant standards provided with vertical slots, said standards being downwardly engaged in the slideways, and clamping screws extending across the slideways through said slots and threaded into the upright.

3. A door jamb setter for jambs having vertical ribs spaced from their sides and extending laterally inwardly from the jambs, said setter comprising channel uprights adapted to receive the ribs and having lateral flanges adapted to bear against the inward surface of the jambs, said uprights having webs, vertically spaced upper and lower horizontal gauge bar means extending between and secured to the uprights, and spaced from the upper and clamps secured to the webs of the uprights and having side flanges spaced outwardly from the uprights and adapted to engage the opposed sides of door jambs, said clamps being located between the ends of the uprights and adjacent gauge bar means.

5. A door jamb setter for jambs having vertical ribs spaced from their sides and extending laterally inwardly from the jambs, said setter comprising channel uprights adapted to receive the ribs and having lateral flanges adapted to bear against the inward surface of the jambs,

said uprights having webs, vertically spaced upper and- References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 827,284 Andersson July 31, 1906 1,016,914 Christiana Feb. 6, 1912 2,511,900 1950 2,603,880 1952 2,636,282 1953 2,771,688 1956 3,065,550 Pattiani Nov; 27, 1962 

1. A DOOR JAMB SETTER COMPRISING A PAIR OF LATERALLY SPACED UPRIGHTS, MEANS ON THE UPRIGHTS FOR HOLDING THE UPRIGHTS IN LINE WITH DOOR SIDE JAMBS, ADJUSTABLE GAUGE BAR MEANS EXTENDING BETWEEN AND CONNECTED TO THE UPRIGHTS, AND SIDE JAMB CLAMPING MEANS ON THE UPRIGHTS, SAID CLAMPING MEANS COMPRISING CHANNEL BRACKETS FIXED ON THE UPRIGHTS L-SHAPED MEMBERS HAVING FOOT PORTIONS OVERLAPPED AND SLIDABLY CONFINED IN THE CHANNEL BRACKETS, SAID FOOT PORTIONS HAVING REGISTERED LONGITUDINAL SLOTS, AND 